Methods of cancer treatment using naaladase inhibitors

ABSTRACT

The present invention is based upon the surprising discovery that NAALADase inhibitors exhibit a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of prostate cancer cells. The present disclosure relates to methods of treating diseases of the prostate, in particular prostate cancer, using novel compositions which inhibit N-Acetylated α-Linked Acidic Dipeptidase (NAALADase) enzyme activity in humans and warm-blooded animals. Furthermore, as NAALADase has been found in other tissues of the body it may serve as a cancer associated protein and thus NAALADase inhibitors would be expected to show efficacy in the treatment of other forms of cancer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to methods of treating cancer, inparticular prostate cancer, using novel compositions which inhibitN-Acetylated α-Linked Acidic Dipeptidase (NAALADASE) enzyme activity inhumans and warm-blooded animals.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is now the leading form of cancer among men and thesecond most frequent cause of death from cancer in men. It is estimatedthat more than 165,000 new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed in1993, and more than 35,000 men died from prostate cancer in that year.Additionally, the incidence of prostate cancer has increased by 50%since 1981, and mortality from this disease has continued to increase.Previously, most men died of other illnesses or diseases before dyingfrom their prostate cancer. We now face increasing morbidity fromprostate cancer as men live longer and the disease has the opportunityto progress.

Current therapies for prostate cancer focus exclusively upon reducinglevels of dihydrotestosterone to decrease or prevent growth of prostatecancer.

In addition to the use of digital rectal examination and transrectalultrasonography, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentration isfrequently used in the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Prostate Specific Antigen

One well known prostate cancer marker is Prostate Specific Antigen(PSA). PSA is a protein produced by prostate cells and is frequentlypresent at elevated levels in the blood of men who have prostate cancer.PSA has been shown to correlate with tumor burden, serve as an indicatorof metastatic involvement, and provide a parameter for following theresponse to surgery, irradiation, and androgen replacement therapy inprostate cancer patients. It should be noted that Prostate SpecificAntigen (PSA) is a completely different protein from Prostate SpecificMembrane Antigen (PSMA). The two proteins have different structures andfunctions and should not be confused because of their similarnomenclature.

Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA)

In 1993, the molecular cloning of a prostate-specific membrane antigen(PSMA) was reported as a potential prostate carcinoma marker andhypothesized to serve as a target for imaging and cytotoxic treatmentmodalities for prostate cancer. Antibodies against PSMA have beendescribed and examined clinically for diagnosis and treatment ofprostate cancer. In particular, Indium-111 labelled PSMA antibodies havebeen described and examined for diagnosis of prostate cancer anditrium-labelled PSMA antibodies have been described and examined for thetreatment of prostate cancer.

PSMA is expressed in prostatic ductal epithelium and is present inseminal plasma, prostatic fluid and urine. In 1996, it was found thatthe expression of PSMA cDNA actually confers the activity of NAALADase.This is entirely unexpected because until recently NAALADase researchhas been limited to its role in the brain and its effect onneurotransmitters whereas PSMA has been described and examined for thediagnosis and therapy of prostate cancer.

NAAG and NAALADase within the Central Nervous System

In a totally separate research area, efforts to examine the role ofglutamate toxicity in diseases of the brain, i.e. epilepsy, amyotrophiclateral sclerosis (ALS), schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease, ledresearchers in an attempt to ascertain the exact role of NAALADase andNAAG in the central nervous system (CNS).

The dipeptide N-acetyl-L-aspartate-L-glutamate (NAAG) is a majorpeptidic component of the brain, with levels comparable to that of themajor inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). AlthoughNAAG was first isolated in 1964, there was little activity towardelucidating its role in the central nervous system (CNS) until thedeleterious nature of excess glutamate in a variety of disease statesbecame apparent. Due to its structural similarity to glutamate, NAAG hasbeen suggested to have a variety of roles similar to those of glutamateitself, including functioning as a neurotransmitter or a cotransmitterin the CNS. N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate (NAAG) is an abundant nervoussystem specific peptide which is present in synaptic vesicles andreleased upon neuronal stimulation in several systems. Severalinvestigators have hypothesized that NAAG is involved in neuronalcommunication as a neurotransmitter, neuromodulator, or as a precursorof the neurotransmitter glutamate. In 1985, NAAG was reported to causeexcitation of neurons of the lateral olfactory tract; however, it wassubsequently demonstrated that these findings were due to an artifact ofthe preparation. More recently, NAAG was shown to elicit excitatoryresponses both in vitro and in vivo. However, under both scenarios, NAAGwas less potent than glutamate. In 1988, a brain enzyme was identifiedwhich hydrolyzes NAAG to N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and glutamate (See FIG.1). ##STR1##

Since NAALADase has been primarily researched for its role in theneurological field, much of what is known about NAALADase comes fromneurological studies. N-acetylated α-linked acidic dipeptidase(NAALADase) is a membrane-bound metallopeptidase which catabolizes NAAGto N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and glutamate. Since it is possible that NAAGmay not be the sole substrate for this enzyme in vivo, this peptidasewas named N-acetylated α-linked acidic dipeptidase (NAALADase) for itsstructural specificity for N-acetylated acidic dipeptides. It has beendemonstrated that ³ ! NAAG is degraded in vivo by an enzyme with thepharmacological characteristics of NAALADase. These data support a rolefor NAALADase in the metabolism of endogenous NAAG. Research hasidentified NAALADase as having a denatured molecular mass of 94 kDa.

Rat NAALADase activity has been extensively characterized anddemonstrates a high affinity for hydrolysis of its putative substrateNAAG, with a Km=140 nM. Recently, NAALADase also has been shown tocleave the non-acetylated peptide, aspartylglutamate, with highaffinity. Research has also found that the enzyme is membrane-bound,stimulated by chloride ions, and inhibited by polyvalent cationchelators, suggesting that it is a metallopeptidase.

In mammals, NAALADase is enriched in synaptic plasma membranes and isprimarily localized to neural tissue and kidney. NAALADase has not beenfound in large quantities in the mammalian liver, heart, pancreas, orspleen. Prior to the present invention, NAALADase has not been found inprostate tissue.

Toward this end, NAAG and NAALADase have been examined in severaldifferent human and animal pathological conditions. It has beendemonstrated that intra-hippocampal injections of NAAG elicit prolongedseizure activity. More recently, it was reported that rats geneticallyprone to epileptic seizures have a persistent increase in their basallevel of NAALADase activity. These observations are consistent with thehypothesis that increased availability of synaptic glutamate elevatesseizure susceptibility, and suggest that NAALADase inhibitors mayprovide anti-epileptic activity.

NAAG and NAALADase have also been implicated in the pathogenesis of ALSand in the pathologically similar animal disease called HereditaryCanine Spinal Muscular Atrophy (HCSMA). It has been shown thatconcentrations of NAAG and its metabolites-NAA, glutamate andaspartate-are elevated two-to three-fold in the cerebrospinal fluid ofALS patients and HCSMA dogs.

In addition, NAALADase activity is significantly increased (two-tothree-fold) in post-mortem spinal cord tissue from ALS patients andHCSMA dogs. Although highly speculative, NAALADase inhibitors may beclinically useful in curbing the progression of ALS if increasedmetabolism of NAAG is responsible for the alterations of CSF levels ofthese acidic amino acids and peptides. Abnormalities in NAAG levels andNAALADase activity have also been documented in post-mortemschizophrenic brain, specifically in the prefrontal and limbic brainregions, underscoring the importance of examining the metabolism of NAAGin the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.

The identification and purification of NAALADase led to the proposal ofanother role for NAAG: specifically that the dipeptide may serve as astorage form of synaptic glutamate.

NAALADase Inhibitors

Only a few NAALADase inhibitors have been identified and those that havebeen identified have only been used in non-clinical neurologicalresearch. Examples of such inhibitors include general metallopeptidaseinhibitors such as o-phenanthrolene, metal chelators such as EGTA andEDTA, and peptide analogs such as quisqualic acid and beta-NAAG.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based upon the surprising discovery thatNAALADase inhibitors exhibit a significant inhibitory effect on thegrowth of prostate cancer cells. The present disclosure relates tomethods of treating diseases of the prostate, in particular prostatecancer, using novel compositions which inhibit N-Acetylated α-LinkedAcidic Dipeptidase (NAALADase) enzyme activity in humans andwarm-blooded animals. Furthermore, as NAALADase has been found in othertissues of the body it may serve as a cancer associated protein and thusNAALADase inhibitors may show efficacy in the treatment of other formsof cancer.

NAALADase is an enzyme which is a membrane-bound metalloprotease thathydrolyzes the dipeptide, N-acetyl-L- aspartate-L-glutamate (NAAG) toyield glutamate and N-acetylaspartate. The methods of the presentinvention include using compositions containing phosphinic acidderivatives that inhibit NAALADase enzyme activity and which have beenfound useful for inhibiting the growth of prostate cancer cells.

Preferred methods of the present invention include a method for treatingcancer which comprises the step of administering to an animal sufferingfrom a cancer a NAALADase inhibitor and pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier for said NAALADase inhibitor.

Another preferred method of the present invention is directed to amethod of preventing growth of a cancer which comprises the step ofadministering to an animal suffering from a cancer a NAALADase inhibitorand a carrier for effective therapeutic administration of said NAALADaseinhibitor. In preferred embodiments, the cancer is prostate cancer.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention pertains to amethod for inhibiting the growth of prostatic tumor cells in an animalwhich comprises administering to the prostatic tumor cells a NAALADaseinhibitor and a carrier for effective therapeutic administration of saidNAALADase inhibitor.

Yet another preferred embodiment is directed to a method of treatingprostate diseases selected from the group consisting of prostate cancerand benign prostatic hyperplasia in an animal, which comprisesadministering (i) a NAALADase inhibitor and (ii) a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier for administering said NAALADase inhibitor to saidanimal.

Another preferred method of the present invention includes a method fortreating cancer which comprises the step of administering to an animalsuffering from a cancer a compound and pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier for said compound, the compound having the following formula:##STR2## where R is a C₁ -C₉ straight or branched chain alkyl or alkenylgroup, C₃ -C₈ cycloalkyl, C₃ or C₅ cycloalkyl, C₅ -C₇ cycloalkenyl, Ar₁,substituted or unsubstituted C₁ alkyl having a carboxy, substituted orunsubstituted C3-C₉ alkyl having a carboxy, or substituted C₂ alkylhaving a carboxy, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or hydratesthereof.

The present invention also contemplates the use of said alkyl, alkenyl,cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, or aryl groups to be optionally substitutedwith C₃ -C₈ cycloalkyl, C₃ or C₅ cycloalkyl, C₅ -C₇ cycloalkenyl, C₁ -C₄alkyl, C₁ -C₄ alkenyl, hydroxy, halo, hydroxyl, nitro, trifluoromethyl,C₁ -C₆ straight or branched chain alkyl or alkenyl, C₁ -C₄ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ alkenyloxy, phenoxy, benzyloxy, amino, or Ar₁, and where Ar₁, isselected from the group consisting of 1-napthyl, 2-napthyl, 2-indolyl,3-indolyl, 2-furyl, 3-furyl, 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, 2-, 3-, or 4-pyridyl,or phenyl, having one to three substituents which are independentlyselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, hydroxyl, nitro,trifluoromethyl, C₁ -C₆ straight or branched alkyl or alkenyl, C₁ -C₄alkoxy or C₁ -C₄ alkenyloxy, phenoxy, benzyloxy, and amino; orpharmaceutically acceptable salts or hydrates thereof.

Especially preferred compounds used in the methods of the presentinvention are selected from the group consisting of:

2- methylhydroxyphosphinyl!methyl!pentanedioic acid;

2- ethylhydroxyphosphinyl!methyl!pentanedioic acid;

2- propylhydroxyphosphinyl!methyl!pentanedioic acid;

2- butylhydroxyphosphinyl!methyl!pentanedioic acid;

2- cyclohexylhydroxyphosphinyl!methyl!pentanedioic acid;

2- phenylhydroxyphosphinyl!methyl!pentanedioic acid;

2- 2-(tetrahydrofuranyl)hydroxyphosphinyl!methyl!pentanedioic acid;

2- (2-tetrahydropyranyl)hydroxyphosphinyl!methyl!pentanedioic acid;

2- ((4-pyridyl)methyl)hydroxyphosphinyl!methyl!pentanedioic acid;

2- ((2-pyridyl)methyl)hydroxyphosphinyl!methyl!pentanedioic acid;

2- (phenylmethyl)hydroxyphosphinyl!methyl!pentanedioic acid;

2- ((2-phenylethyl)methyl)hydroxyphosphinyl!methyl!pentanedioic acid;

2- ((3-phenylpropyl)methyl)hydroxyphosphinyl!methyl!pentanedioic acid;

2- ((3-phenylbutyl)methyl)hydroxyphosphinyl!methyl!pentanedioic acid;

2- ((2-phenylbutyl)methyl)hydroxyphosphinyl!methyl!pentanedioic acid;

2- (4-phenylbutyl)hydroxyphosphinyl!methyl!pentanedioic acid; and

2- (aminomethyl)hydroxyphosphinyl!methyl!pentanedioic acid.

Highly preferred compounds used in methods of the present invention areselected from the group consisting of:

2- methylhydroxyphosphinyl!methyl!pentanedioic acid;

2- ethylhydroxyphosphinyl!methyl!pentanedioic acid;

2- propylhydroxyphosphinyl!methyl!pentanedioic acid; and

2- phenylhydroxyphosphinyl!methyl!pentanedioic acid.

Compositions which are used in methods within the scope of the presentinvention contain the above described compounds and are formulated witha suitable pharmaceutical carrier. Such carriers are formulated in orderto best utilize the compound for a particular purpose.

Yet another preferred embodiment is directed to methods which containglutamate-derived hydroxyphosphinyl derivatives selected from the groupconsisting of:

2-(phosphonomethyl)pentanedioic acid;

2-(phosphonomethyl)succinic acid; and,

2- (2-carboxyethyl)hydroxyphosphinoyl!methyl!pentanedioic acid.

Further preferred embodiments include the use of additional therapeuticagents useful for treating diseases of the prostate. Such agents may beselected from the group consisting of: therapeutic hormones,chemotherapeutic agents, monoclonal antibodies, anti-angiogenesisagents, radiolabelled compounds, and mixtures thereof. The agent canalso include any pharmaceutical compound useful for the treatmentsdescribed herein to be delivered in combination with the compounds andcompositions of the present invention.

Especially preferred NAALADase inhibitors considered to be within thescope of the present methods include glutamate-derived hydroxyphosphinylderivative compounds. Other preferred NAALADase inhibitors consideredwithin the scope of the present methods include: other metallopeptidaseinhibitors such a small molecule compounds with thio derivativefunctional groups or hydroxamic acid functional group groups; metalchelators such as compounds having the inhibitory characteristics ofethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) andethyleneglycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N-tetraacetic (EGTA);peptide analogs including aspartate-glutamate (Asp-Glu),glutamate-glutamate (Glu-Glu), glycine-glutamate (Gly-Glu),gamma-glutamate-glutamate (gamma-Glu-Glu), andglutamate-glutamate-glutamate (Glu-Glu-Glu), conformationally restrictedglutamate mimics such as quisqualic acid and beta-NAAG, and mixturesthereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a bar graph plotting the growth of the prostate cancer cellline, LNCAP, against various concentrations of quisqualic acid. FIG. 1shows the effect of 7-day treatment with quisqualate on the growth ofLNCAP cells. Concentrations ranging from 10 nM to 1 μM of quisqualateshow a sharp dose-dependent decrease of LNCAP cell proliferation asindicated by the significant decrease in the incorporation of3H!thymidine.

FIG. 2 is a bar graph plotting the growth of the prostate cancer cellline, LNCAP, against various concentrations of2-(phosphonomethyl)pentanedioic acid. FIG. 2 shows the effect of 7-daytreatment with 2-(phosphonomethyl) pentanedioic acid on the growth ofLNCAP cells. Concentrations ranging from 100 pM to 10 nM of2-(phosphonomethyl) pentanedioic acid show a sharp dose-dependentdecrease of LNCAP cell proliferation as indicated by the significantdecrease in the incorporation of 3H!thymidine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to methods of treating diseases of theprostate, in particular prostate cancer, using novel compositions whichinhibit N-Acetylated α-Linked Acidic Dipeptidase (NAALADase) enzymeactivity in humans and warm-blooded animals. Furthermore, as NAALADasehas been found in other tissues of the body it may serve as a cancerassociated protein and thus NAALADase inhibitors may show efficacy inthe treatment of other forms of cancer.

NAALADase is an enzyme which is a membrane-bound metalloprotease thathydrolyzes the dipeptide, N-acetyl-L-aspartate-L-glutamate (NAAG) toyield glutamate and N-acetylaspartate. The methods of the presentinvention include using compositions containing phosphinic acidderivatives that inhibit NAALADase enzyme activity and which have beenfound useful for inhibiting the growth of prostate cancer cells.Although the use of NAALADase inhibitors is exemplified for thetreatment of prostate cancer, methods including NAALADase inhibitors arenot limited to this specific form as cancer. NAALADase has been found inother tissues in the body, which results in efficacy in the treatment ofother forms of cancer. For example, the kidney, brain, and testis haveNAALADase present. As a result, in these examples brain cancer, kidneycancer, or testicular cancer may be treated via this approach. Othertissues will correlate with other treatments accordingly.

Preferred methods of the present invention include a method for treatingcancer which comprises the step of administering to an animal sufferingfrom a cancer a NAALADase inhibitor and pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier for said NAALADase inhibitor.

Especially preferred NAALADase inhibitors considered to be within thescope of the present methods include glutamate-derived hydroxyphosphinylderivative compounds.

Preferred glutamate-derived hydroxyphosphinyl derivatives includecompounds having the following formula: ##STR3## where R is a C₁ -C₉straight or branched chain alkyl or alkenyl group, C₃ -C₈ cycloalkyl, C₃or C₅ cycloalkyl, C₅ -C₇ cycloalkenyl, Ar₁, substituted or unsubstitutedC₁ alkyl having a carboxy, substituted or unsubstituted C₃ -C₉ alkylhaving a carboxy, or substituted C₂ alkyl having a carboxy, orpharmaceutically acceptable salts or hydrates thereof.

The present invention also contemplates the use of said alkyl, alkenyl,cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, or aryl groups to be optionally substitutedwith C₃ -C₈ cycloalkyl, C₃ or C₅ cycloalkyl, C₅ -C₇ cycloalkenyl, C₁ -C₄alkyl, C₁ -C₄ alkenyl, hydroxy, halo, hydroxyl, nitro, trifluoromethyl,C₁ -C₆ straight or branched chain alkyl or alkenyl, C₁ -C₄ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ alkenyloxy, phenoxy, benzyloxy, amino, or Ar₁, and where Ar₁, isselected from the group consisting of 1-napthyl, 2-napthyl, 2-indolyl,3-indolyl, 2-furyl, 3-furyl, 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, 2-, 3-, or 4-pyridyl,or phenyl, having one to three substituents which are independentlyselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, hydroxyl, nitro,trifluoromethyl, C₁ -C₆ straight or branched alkyl or alkenyl, C₁ -C₄alkoxy or C₁ -C₄ alkenyloxy, phenoxy, benzyloxy, and amino; orpharmaceutically acceptable salts or hydrates thereof.

It has been unexpectedly found that the right hand side of the molecularstructure depicted above is necessary for substrate recognition byNAALADase enzyme. Thus, the present invention only contemplatessubstitutions to the left hand side, indicated by the R group, of thephosphinic acid structure above.

"NAALADase" as used herein refers to N-Acetylated Alpha-Linked AcidicDipeptidase. The enzyme was originally named for it's substratespecificity for hydrolyzing N-acetylated alpha-linked acidic dipeptides.Currently, it is known that the enzyme has a broader range of substratespecificity than originally discovered, particularly that the enzymedoes not require N-acetylation or alpha-linkage. Thus, as used herein"NAALADase" encompasses other names used in the literature such as NAAGhydrolyzing enzyme and NAALA dipeptidase.

As used in the specification and claims, the chemical structures referto conventional designations. For example, "alkyl" is a paraffinichydrocarbon group which may be derived from an alkane by dropping onehydrogen from the formula, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl,butyl, and so forth. "Alkenyl" is an olefinic unsaturated hydrocarbonhaving one or more double bonds such as methylene, ethylene, propylene,isopropylene, butylene, and so forth. The term "Cyclo", used herein as aprefix, refers to a structure characterized by a closed ring. The term"oxy", used herein as a suffix, i.e. alkoxy, alkenoxy, phenoxy, and soforth, refers to having one or more oxygen molecules attached. Thus, theterm "carboxy" may describe, for example, a carbon having both an oxygenand a hydroxy moiety attached.

"Halogen" includes bromo, fluoro, chloro and iodo; "halomethyl" includesmono-, di-, and tri-halo groups including trifluoromethyl; aminocompounds include amine (NH₂) as well as substituted amino groupscomprising alkyls of one through six carbons; "Ar₁ ", chemical shorthandfor "aryl", includes aromatic ring compounds such as benzene, phenyl,naphthyl, indolyl, furyl, thienyl, pyridyl, and substituted formsthereof; "aralkyl", is an aryl being attached through an alkyl chain,straight or branched, of from one through six carbons such asphenylpropyl group.

The term "inhibition", in the context of enzyme inhibition, relates toreversible enzyme inhibition such as competitive, uncompetitive, andnoncompetitive inhibition. This can be experimentally distinguished bythe effects of the inhibitor on the reaction kinetics of the enzyme,which may be analyzed in terms of the basic Michaelis-Menten rateequation. Competitive inhibition occurs when the inhibitor can combinewith the free enzyme in such a way that it competes with the normalsubstrate for binding at the active site. A competitive inhibitor reactsreversibly with the enzyme to form an enzyme-inhibitor complex EI!,analogous to the enzyme-substrate complex:

    E+I==EI

Following the Michaelis-Menten formalism, we can define the inhibitorconstant, K_(i), as the dissociation constant of the enzyme-inhibitorcomplex: ##EQU1##

Thus, in accordance with the above and as used herein, K_(i) isessentially a measurement of affinity between a molecule, and itsreceptor, or in relation to the present invention, between the presentinventive compounds and the enzyme to be inhibited. It should be notedthat IC50 is a related term used when defining the concentration oramount of a compound which is required to cause a 50% inhibition of thetarget enzyme.

The term "inhibition", in the context of tumor growth or tumor cellgrowth, may be assessed by delayed appearance of primary or secondarytumors, slowed development of primary or secondary tumors, decreasedoccurrence of primary or secondary tumors, slowed or decreased severityof secondary effects of disease, arrested tumor growth and regression oftumors, among others. In the extreme, complete inhibition, is referredto herein as prevention.

The term "prevention", in relation to tumor growth or tumor cell growth,means no tumor or tumor cell growth if none had occurred, no furthertumor or tumor cell growth if there had already been growth.

The term "prostate disease" relates to prostate cancer such asadenocarcinoma or metastatic cancers, conditions characterized byabnormal growth of prostatic epithelial cells such as benign prostatichyperplasia, and other conditions requiring treatment by the compoundsof the present invention.

The term "treatment" refers to any process, action, application,therapy, or the like, wherein an animal, including a human being, issubject to medical aid with the object of improving the animal'scondition, directly or indirectly.

The compounds and compositions of the present invention useful fortreatment of cancer, include but are not limited to types of cancerselected from the following group: ACTH-producing tumors, acutelymphocytic leukemia, acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, cancer of theadrenal cortex, bladder cancer, brain cancer, breast cancer, cervixcancer, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myelocytic leukemia,colorectal cancer, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, endometrial cancer,esophageal cancer, Ewing's sarcoma, gallbladder cancer, hairy cellleukemia, head & neck cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma, Kaposi's sarcoma,kidney cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer(small and/or non-small cell),malignant peritoneal effusion, malignant pleural effusion, melanoma,mesothelioma, multiple myeloma, neuroblastoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma,osteosarcoma, ovary cancer, ovary (germ cell) cancer, pancreatic cancer,penis cancer, prostate cancer, retinoblastoma, skin cancer, soft-tissuesarcoma, squamous cell carcinomas, stomach cancer, testicular cancer,thyroid cancer, trophoblastic neoplasms, cancer of the uterus, vaginalcancer, cancer of the vulva, and Wilm's tumor.

Since there is substantial evidence that NAALADase is ametallopeptidase, the present invention includes small molecules withfunctional groups known to inhibit metallopeptidases, such ashydroxyphosphinyl derivatives, thio derivatives, and hydroxamic acids.The most preferred methods of the present invention are those thatutilize hydroxyphosphinyl derivatives. In particular, since it was knownin neurological literature that the glutamate moiety of NAAG wasimportant for recognition by the enzyme and that the aspartate regionplayed a less critical role, a series of glutamate-derivedhydroxyphosphinyl derivatives were produced.

As a result, it has been unexpectedly found that compounds with thefollowing general structure were found to be very potent inhibitors ofthe NAALADase: ##STR4##

These compounds may be prepared by the general method of Jackson et al.(J. Med. Chem. 39(2), 619-622; J. Med. Chem. 38, 3313-3331). Theirsynthesis is outlined in Schemes 1, 2, and 3, below.

Synthesis of NAALADase Inhibitors

All of the above-described inhibitors can be synthesized by standardorganic synthetic procedures. The precursor compounds of the presentinvention can be easily made by a ordinary person skill in the artutilizing known methods, such as Scheme 1 below. Production of compoundscontaining the R group substitutions can be easily made utilizing knownmethods. See, for example, Froestl et al., J. Med. Chem., 1995, 38,3313-3331, Phosphinic Acid Analogues of GABA. ##STR5## Further methodsof synthesizing phosphinic acid esters are also described in J. Med.Chem., 1988, 31, 204-212, and may be found in Scheme II, below. ##STR6##

Starting with the aforementioned phosphinic acid esters, there are avariety of routes that can be used to prepare the compounds of thepresent invention. For example, a general route was recently describedin J. Med. Chem., 1996, 39, 619-622, and is set forth below in ##STR7##

In vitro inhibition of NAALADase Activity

Three compounds were tested for inhibition of NAALADase activity:2-(phosphonomethyl) pentanedioic acid, 2-(phosphonomethyl)succinic acid,and 2- 2-carboxyethyl) hydroxyphosphinol!methyl!-pentanedoic acid. Theresults are shown in Table I.

                  TABLE I                                                         ______________________________________                                        in vitro Activity of NAALADase Inhibitors                                     compd                 K.sub.i (nM)                                            ______________________________________                                        2-(phosphonomethyl)pentanedioic acid                                                                0.275 ± 0.08                                         2-(phosphonomethyl)succinic acid                                                                     700 ± 67.3                                          2-  2-carboxyethyl)hydroxyphosphinoyl!                                                              1.89 ± 0.19                                          methyl!-pentanedoic acid)                                                     ______________________________________                                    

2-(phosphonomethyl)pentanedioic acid showed a high level of NAALADaseinhibiting activity, with a K_(i) of 0.27 nM (Table 1). The activity ofthis compound is >1000 times more potent than that of previouslydescribed inhibitors. The procedure for assaying the compounds is setforth below.

NAALADase activity was assayed as described. In brief, the assaymeasured the amount of ³ H! Glu liberated from ³ H! NAAG in 50 mMTris-Cl buffer in 15 min at 37° C. using 30-50 μg of synaptosomalprotein; substrate and product were resolved by anion-exchange liquidchromatography. Duplicate assays were always performed so that no morethan 20% of the NAAG was digested, representing the linear range ofpeptidase activity. Quisqualate (100 μM) was included in parallel assaytubes to confirm the specificity of measurements.

The 2-(phosphonomethyl)succinic acid showed a large decrease in efficacyin inhibiting the activity of NAALADase (Table 1), suggesting that aglutamate analog attached to the phosphonic acid is required for potentinhibition of the enzyme. In addition, 2- 2-carboxyethyl)hydroxyphosphinoyl!methyl!-pentanedoic acid, which has an additionalcarboxylic acid side chain similar to the aspartate residue found inNAAG, did not lead to an increase in potency.

It is believed that the compounds of the present invention will not tendto be particularly toxic when administered to humans in that NAALADaseinhibitors have not demonstrated toxic side effects when administered torats and mice during in vivo neurological experiments. Furthermore,NAALADase inhibitors have not demonstrated toxic side effects uponexposure to cell lines.

In order to explore the potential toxicological effects of NAALADaseinhibition, a group of mice were injected with a single peritoneal doseof 2-(phosphonomethyl) pentanedioic acid, a NAALADase inhibitor having ahigh activity. The dosages were given in increasing concentrations ofmilligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight. Dosages of 1, 5, 10,30, 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg (of body weight) were administered and noacute adverse effects were observed at any dose tested. The mice weresubsequently observed two times per day for 5 consecutive days. Table IIgives the percent survival rate for the doses tested.

                  TABLE II                                                        ______________________________________                                        NAALADase Inhibitor                                                           DOSES OF COMPOUND                                                             mg/kg   1       5      10    30   100   300  500                              ______________________________________                                        % of animal                                                                           100     100    100   100  100   100  66.7                             survival as                                                                   of Day 5                                                                      ______________________________________                                    

In Vitro Assay of NAALADase Inhibitors on a cancer cell line

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the effect of 7-daytreatment with quisqualate and 2-(phosphonomethyl) pentanedioic acid onthe growth of LNCAP cells (a prostate cancer cell line) is shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. Concentrations ranging from 10 nM to 1 μMof quisqualate and 100 pM to 10 nM of 2-(phosphonomethyl) pentanedioicacid show a sharp dose-dependent decrease of LNCAP cell proliferation asindicated by the significant decrease in the incorporation of3H!thymidine. The data for FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown in Table III, below.

                  TABLE III                                                       ______________________________________                                        .sup.3 H-Thymidine Incorporation (DPMs)                                                              2 (phosphonomethyl)                                    Dose       Ouisqualic Acid                                                                           pentanedioic Acid                                      ______________________________________                                        Control    4813 ± 572                                                                             4299 ± 887                                          10 pM      --          3078 ± 1006                                         100 pM     --          2062 ± 595                                          1 nM       3668 ± 866                                                                             1001 ± 52                                           10 nM      2137 ± 764                                                                             664 ± 366                                           100 nM     1543 ± 312                                                                             --                                                     1 uM       1295 ± 181                                                                             --                                                     ______________________________________                                    

The data for Table III was obtained according to the following protocol.Cells in RPMI 1640 medium containing 10% Fetal Calf Serum (FCS) wereplated in 24 well plates and were allowed to adhere for 24 hours beforeaddition of quisqualic acid (10⁻⁹ to 10⁻⁶) or 2-(phosphonomethyl)pentanedioic acid (10⁻¹¹ to 10⁻⁸) for 7 days. On the 7th day, the cellswere pulsed with 3H-Thymidine for 4 hours, harvested and radioactivitywas measured. Values represent means ±SEM of 6 separate cell wells foreach treatment. All experiments were performed at least twice.

To control for the non-specific cytostatic effects of these NAALADaseinhibitors, the effects of these agents were simultaneously evaluated onthe non-NAALADase containing prostate cell line, DU145 (Carter et al.,Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, (93) 749-753; 1996). The effect of 7-daytreatment of quisqualate and 2-(phosphonomethyl) pentanedioic acid atconcentrations up to μM had no significant effect on cell growth. Theseobservations provide evidence that the NAALADase inhibition propertiesof these agents are uniquely responsible for their cytostatic effects onprostate carcinoma cell lines.

Cell Lines and Tissue Culture

LNCAP cells were obtained from Dr. William Nelson at the Johns HopkinsSchool of Medicine in Baltimore, Md. DU145 cells were obtained fromAmerican Type Culture Collection (Rockville, Md.). Cells were grown inRPMI-1640 media supplemented with 5% heat-inactivated fetal calf serum,2 mM-glutamine, 100 units/ml penicillin, and 100 /μ/ml streptomycin(Paragon) in a humidified incubator at 37° C. in a 5% CO₂ /95% airatmosphere.

3H!Thymidine Incorporation Assays

The cells were suspended at 1×10³ cells/ml in RPMI-1640 media and seededinto 24-well plates at 500 μl per well. After 24 hour incubation,various concentrations of quisqualic acid (Sigma) or the potentNAALADase inhibitor 2-(phosphonomethyl)pentanedioic acid (synthesizedaccording to the methods of Jackson et al., J. Med. Chem. 39(2) 619-622)was added to the wells and the plates were returned to the incubator. Ondays 3, 5, and 7, media and drug were refreshed. On the 8th dayfollowing seeding, each well was pulsed with 1 μCi ³ H-thymidine (NewEngland Nuclear) for 4 hours. Media was then removed and the wellswashed 2 times with phosphate buffered saline (pH=7.4). The contents ofeach well was subsequently solubilized 250 μl of 0.2N NaOH andtransferred to scintillation vials. Five mls of UltimaGold (Packard)scintillation cocktail was added and radioactivity was quantitated usinga Beckman LS6001 scintillation counter.

The purity and/or identity of all synthetic compounds is ascertained bythin layer chromatography, High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC),mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. Proton Nuclear MagneticResonance (NMR) spectra were obtained using a Bruker spectrometer.Chemical shifts are reported in parts per million relative totetramethylsilane as internal standard. Analytical thin-layerchromatography (TLC) was conducted on prelayered silica gel GHLF plates(Analtech, Newark, Del.). Visualization of the plates was accomplishedby using UV light, phosphomolybdic acid-ethanol, and/or iodoplatinatecharring. Flash chromatography was conducted on Kieselgel 60, 230-400mesh (E. Merck, Darmstadt, West Germany). Solvents were either reagentor HPLC grade. Reactions were run at ambient temperature and under anitrogen atmosphere unless otherwise noted. Solutions were evaporatedunder reduced pressure on a Buchi rotary evaporator.

The compounds of the present invention can be used in the form of saltsderived from inorganic or organic acids and bases. Included among suchacid salts are the following: acetate, adipate, alginate, aspartate,benzoate, benzenesulfonate, bisulfate butyrate, citrate, camphorate,camphorsulfonate, cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dodecylsulfate,ethanesulfonate, fumarate, glucoheptanoate, glycerophosphate,hemissulfate heptanoate, hexanoate, hydrochloride, hydrobromide,hydroiodide, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonate, lactate, maleate,methanesulfonate, 2-naphthalensulfonate, nicotinate, oxalate, pamoate,pectinate, propionate, succinate, tartrate, thiocyanate, tosylate andundecanoate. Base salts include ammonium salts, alkali metal salts suchas sodium and potassium salts, alkaline earth metal salts such ascalcium and magnesium salts, salt with organic bases such asdicyclohexylamine salts, N-methyl-D-glucamine, and salts with aminoacids such as arginine, lysine, and so forth. Also, the basicnitrogen-containing groups can be quarternized with such agents as loweralkyl halides, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl chloride,bromides and iodides; dialkyl sulfates like dimethyl, diethyl, dibutyland diamyl sulfates, long chain halides such as decyl, lauryl, myristyland stearyl chlorides, bromides and iodides, aralkyl halides like benzyland phenethyl bromides and others. Water or oil-soluble or dispersibleproducts are thereby obtained.

ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION

For these purposes, the compounds of the present invention may beadministered orally, parenterally, by inhalation spray, topically,rectally, nasally, buccally, vaginally or via an implanted reservoir indosage formulations containing conventional non-toxicpharmaceutically-acceptable carriers, adjuvants and vehicles. The termparenteral as used herein includes subcutaneous, intravenous,intramuscular, intraperitoneally, intrathecally, intraventricularly,intrasternal and intracranial injection or infusion techniques.Generally, at the present time, invasive techniques are preferred,particularly administration directly into tumors.

In addition, administration may be by a single dose, it may be repeatedat intervals or it may be by continuous infusion. Where continuousinfusion is preferred, pump means often will be particularly preferredfor administration. Especially, subcutaneous pump means may be preferredin this regards.

Since NAALADase inhibitors are small, easily diffusible, and relativelystable, it is well suited to long-term continuous administration, suchas by a perfusion pump. Also, it may be desirable to administerNAALADase inhibitors and other agents of the present invention byintraperitoneal injection on a regular basis.

Compositions and methods of the invention also may utilize controlledrelease technology. Thus, for example, NAALADase inhibitors may beincorporated into a hydrophobic polymer matrix for controlled releaseover a period of days. Such controlled release films are well known tothe art. Examples of polymers commonly employed for this purpose thatmay be used in the present invention include nondegradableethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and degradable lactic acid-glycolicacid copolymers. Certain hydrogels such aspoly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate) or poly(vinylalcohol) also may be useful,but for shorter release cycles then the other polymer releases systems,such as those mentioned above.

To be effective therapeutically and avoid unwanted neurological effectswhich may or may not be caused by NAALADase inhibitors in neural tissue,the composition should be formulated such that it will not readilypenetrate the blood-brain barrier in significant amounts whenperipherally administered. However, for compositions which areadministered locally, such by intraperitoneal injection or by polymericimplant, such neurological concerns may be obviated.

The pharmaceutical compositions may be in the form of a sterileinjectable preparation, for example as a sterile injectable aqueous oroleaginous suspension. This suspension may be formulated according totechniques know in the art using suitable dispersing or wetting agentsand suspending agents. The sterile injectable preparation may also be asterile injectable solution or suspension in a non-toxicparenterally-acceptable diluent or solvent, for example as a solution in1,3-butanediol. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that may beemployed are water, Ringer's solution and isotonic sodium chloridesolution. In addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employedas a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose any bland fixed oilmay be employed including synthetic mono- or diglycerides. Fatty acidssuch as oleic acid and its glyceride derivatives find use in thepreparation of injectables, olive oil or castor oil, especially in theirpolyoxyethylated versions. These oil solutions or suspensions may alsocontain a long-chain alcohol diluent or dispersant.

The compounds may be administered orally in the form of capsules ortablets, for example, or as an aqueous suspension or solution. In thecase of tablets for oral use, carriers which are commonly used includelactose and corn starch. Lubricating agents, such as magnesium stearate,are also typically added. For oral administration in a capsule form,useful diluents include lactose and dried corn starch. When aqueoussuspensions are required for oral use, the active ingredient is combinedwith emulsifying and suspending agents. If desired, certain sweeteningand/or flavoring and/or coloring agents may be added.

The compounds of this invention may also be administered in the form ofsuppositories for rectal administration of the drug. These compositionscan be prepared by mixing the drug with a suitable non-irritatingexcipient which is solid at room temperature but liquid at rectaltemperature and therefore will melt in the rectum to release the drug.Such materials include cocoa butter, beeswax and polyethylene glycols.

The compounds of this invention may also be administered optically,especially when the conditions addressed for treatment involve areas ororgans readily accessible by topical application, including neurologicaldisorders of the eye, the skin, or the lower intestinal tract. Suitabletopical formulations are readily prepared for each of these areas. Forophthalmic use, the compounds can be formulated as micronizedsuspensions in isotonic, pH adjusted sterile saline, or, preferably, assolutions is isotonic, pH adjusted sterile saline, either with orwithout a preservative such as benzylalkonium chloride. Alternativelyfor the ophthalmic uses the compounds may be formulated in an ointmentsuch as petrolatum.

For application topically to the skin, the compounds can be formulatedin a suitable ointment containing the compound suspended or dissolvedin, for example, a mixture with one or more of the following: mineraloil, liquid petrolatum, white petrolatum, propylene glycol,polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene compound, emulsifying wax and water.Alternatively, the compounds can be formulated in a suitable lotion orcream containing the active compound suspended or dissolved in, forexample, a mixture of one or more of the following: mineral oil,sorbitan monostearate, polysorbate 60, cetyl esters wax, cetearylalcohol, 2-octyldodecanol, benzyl alcohol and water.

Topical application for the lower intestinal tract may be effected in arectal suppository formulation (see above) or in a suitable enemaformulation.

DOSE

Dosage levels on the order of about 0.1 mg to about 10,000 mg of theactive ingredient compound are useful in the treatment of the aboveconditions, with preferred levels of about 0.1 mg to about 1,000 mg. Theamount of active ingredient that may be combined with the carriermaterials to produce a single dosage form will vary depending upon thehost treated and the particular mode of administration.

It is understood, however, that a specific dose level for any particularpatient will depend upon a variety of factors including the activity ofthe specific compound employed, the age, body weight, general health,sex, diet, time of administration, rate of excretion, drug combination,and the severity of the particular disease being treated and form ofadministration.

Treatment dosages generally may be titrated to optimize safety andefficacy. Typically, dosage-effect relationships from in vitro initiallycan provide useful guidance on the proper doses for patientadministration. Studies in animal models also generally may be used forguidance regarding effective dosages for treatment of cancers inaccordance with the present invention. In terms of treatment protocols,it should be appreciated that the dosage to be administered will dependon several factors, including the particular analog that isadministered, the route administered, the condition of the particularpatient, etc. In that most of these agents have peptidyl portions itwill generally be desirable to administer the agents I.V., butadministration by other routes is contemplated where appropriate.Generally speaking, one will desire to administer an amount of the agentthat is effective to achieve a serum level commensurate with theconcentrations found to be effective in vitro. Thus, where an agent isfound to demonstrate in vitro activity at, e.g., 10 μM, one will desireto administer an amount of the drug that is effective to provide about a10 ρM concentration in vivo. Determination of these parameters are wellwithin the skill of the art.

These considerations, as well as effective formulations andadministration procedures are well known in the art and are described instandard textbooks.

A particular formulation of the invention uses a lyophilized form ofNAALADase inhibitor, in accordance with well known techniques. Forinstance, 1 to 100 mg of NAALADase inhibitor may be lyophilized inindividual vials, together with carrier and buffer compound, forinstance, such as mannitol and sodium phosphate. The NAALADase inhibitormay be reconstituted in the vials with bacteriostatic water and thenadministered, as described elsewhere herein.

ADMINISTRATION REGIMEN

Any effective treatment regimen can be utilized and readily determinedand repeated as necessary to effect treatment.

In clinical practice, the compositions containing NAALADase inhibitoralone or in combination with other therapeutic agents are administeredin specific cycles until a response is obtained.

For patients who initially present without advanced or metastaticcancer, NAALADase inhibitor based drugs are used as an immediate initialtherapy prior to surgery and radiation therapy, and as a continuouspost-treatment therapy in patients at risk for recurrence or metastasis(based upon high PSA, high Gleason's score, locally extensive disease,and/or pathological evidence of tumor invasion in the surgicalspecimen). The goal in these patients is to inhibit the growth ofpotentially metastatic cells from the primary tumor during surgery orradiotherapy and inhibit the growth of tumor cells from undetectableresidual primary tumor.

For patients who initially present with advanced or metastatic cancer,NAALADase inhibitor based drugs are used as a continuous supplement to,or possible as a replacement for hormonal ablation. The goal in thesepatients is to slow tumor cell growth from both the untreated primarytumor and from the existing metastatic lesions.

In addition, the invention may be particularly efficacious duringpost-surgical recovery, where the present compositions and methods maybe particularly effective in lessening the chances of recurrence of atumor engendered by shed cells that cannot be removed by surgicalintervention.

OTHER APPLICATIONS

Radiolabelled compounds and monoclonal antibodies may be used in amanner so as to provide diagnostic information for treatment of aparticular type of cancer. Examples of diagnostic information and usesinclude determining the type of disease, the progress of the particulardisease, the location of cells targeted by a NAALADase inhibitor,radiolabelled compound or monoclonal antibody, and similar diagnosticuses known to persons skilled in the art. The agent can also include anypharmaceutical compound useful for the treatments described herein to bedelivered in combination with the compounds and compositions of thepresent invention.

COMBINATION WITH OTHER TREATMENTS

NAALADase inhibitor may be used in conjunction with other treatmentmodalities. Other common treatment modalities are discussed belowspecifically by reference to prostate cancer. It will be appreciatedthat similar consideration will apply to treatment of other metastaticcancers. The present invention may be used in conjunction with anycurrent or future therapy.

Surgery and Radiation

In general, surgery and radiation therapy are employed as potentiallycurative therapies for patients under 70 years of age who present withclinically localized disease and are expected to live at least 10 years.

Approximately 70% of newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients fall intothis category. Approximately 90% of these patients (65% of totalpatients) undergo surgery, while approximately 10% of these patients (7%of total patients) undergo radiation therapy.

Histopathological examination of surgical specimens reveals thatapproximately 63% of patients undergoing surgery (40% of total patients)have locally extensive tumors or regional (lymph node)metastasis thatwas undetected at initial diagnosis. These patients are at asignificantly greater risk of recurrence. Approximately 40% of thesepatients will actually develop recurrence within five years aftersurgery. Results after radiation are even less encouraging.Approximately 80% of patients who have undergone radiation as theirprimary therapy have disease persistence or develop recurrence ormetastasis within five years after treatment.

Currently, most of these surgical and radiotherapy patients generally donot receive any immediate follow-up therapy. Rather, they are monitoredfrequently for elevated Prostate Specific Antigen ("PSA"), which is theprimary indicator of recurrence or metastasis.

Thus, there is considerable opportunity to use the present invention inconjunction with surgical intervention.

Hormonal Therapy

Hormonal ablation is the most effective palliative treatment for the 10%of patients presenting with metastatic prostate cancer at initialdiagnosis. Hormonal ablation by medication and/or orchiectomy is used toblock hormones that support the further growth and metastasis ofprostate cancer. With time, both the primary and metastatic tumors ofvirtually all of these patients become hormone-independent and resistantto therapy. Approximately 50% of patients presenting with metastaticdisease die within three years after initial diagnosis, and 75% of suchpatients die within five years after diagnosis. Continuoussupplementation with NAALADase inhibitor based drugs are used to preventor reverse this potentially metastasis-permissive state.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy has been more successful with some cancers than withothers. It is likely that the combination of chemotherapy with therapiesof the present invention in some cases will be synergistic. However,chemotherapy currently has little effect on prostate cancer and isgenerally reserved as a last resort, with dismal results. For this typeof cancer, the opportunity to combine chemotherapy with methods andcompositions of the invention will be rare.

Immunotherapy

The NAALADase inhibitors may also be used in combination with monoclonalantibodies in treating prostate cancer. Because pelvic lymph nodeinvolvement affects the 5-year survival rate--84% of patients withoutpelvic lymph node involvement survive 5 years, compared with only 34% ofthose having pelvic lymph node involvement, the use of NAALADaseinhibitors in combination with monoclonal antibodies becomessignificant. A specific example of such an antibody includes cellmembrane-specific anti-prostate antibody.

The present invention may also be used with immunotherapies based onpolyclonal or monoclonal antibody-derived reagents, for instance.Monoclonal antibody-based reagents are most preferred in this regard.Such reagents are well known to persons of ordinary skill in the art.Radiolabelled monoclonal antibodies for cancer therapy, such as therecently approved use of monoclonal antibody conjugated withstrontium-89, also are well known to persons of ordinary skill in theart.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy recently has been applied to the treatment of some cancers.Methods and compositions of the present invention also could be used inconjunction with an effective therapy of this type.

COMBINATIONS WITH OTHER ACTIVE AGENTS

According to another aspect of the invention, pharmaceuticalcompositions of matter useful for inhibiting cancer are provided thatcontain, in addition to the aforementioned compounds, an additionaltherapeutic agent. Such agents may be chemotherapeutic agents, ablationor other therapeutic hormones, antineoplastic agents, monoclonalantibodies useful against cancers and angiogenesis inhibitors. Thefollowing discussion highlights some agents in this respect, which areillustrative, not limitative. A wide variety of other effective agentsalso may be used.

Among hormones which may be used in combination with the presentinventive compounds, diethylstilbestrol (DES), leuprolide, flutamide,cyproterone acetate, ketoconazole and amino glutethimide are preferred.

Among antineoplastic and anticancer agents that may be used incombination with the inventive compounds, 5-fluorouracil, vinblastinesulfate, estramustine phosphate, suramin and strontium-89 are preferred.Other chemotherapeutics useful in combination and within the scope ofthe present invention are buserelin, chlorotranisene, chromic phosphate,cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, dexamethasone, doxorubicin, estradiol,estradiol valerate, estrogens conjugated and esterified, estrone,ethinyl estradiol, floxuridine, goserelin, hydroxyurea, melphalan,methotrexate, mitomycin and prednisone.

Table IV provides known median dosages for selected cancer agents whichmay be useful in combination with the compounds and compositions of thepresent invention. It should be noted that specific dose levels for thechemotherapeutic agents below will depend upon similar dosingconsiderations as those listed in the DOSAGE section for NAALADaseinhibitors presented herein.

                  TABLE IV                                                        ______________________________________                                        NAME OF CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC                                                      AGENT                 MEDIAN DOSAGE                                           ______________________________________                                        Asparaginase          10,000 units                                            Bleomycin Sulfate     15 units                                                Carboplatin           50-450 mg.                                              Carmustine            100 mg.                                                 Cisplatin             10-50 mg.                                               Cladribine            10 mg.                                                  Cyclophosphamide      100 mg.-2 gm.                                           (lyophilized)                                                                 Cyclophosphamide (non-                                                                              100 mg.-2 gm.                                           lyophilized)                                                                  Cytarabine (lyophilized                                                                             100 mg.-2 gm.                                           powder)                                                                       Dacarbazine           100 mg.-200 mg.                                         Dactinomycin          0.5 mg.                                                 Daunorubicin          20 mg.                                                  Diethylstilbestrol    250 mg.                                                 Doxorubicin           10-150 mg.                                              Etidronate            300 mg.                                                 Etoposide             100 mg.                                                 Floxuridine           500 mg.                                                 Fludarabine Phosphate 50 mg.                                                  Fluorouracil          500 mg.-5 gm.                                           Goserelin             3.6 mg.                                                 Granisetron Hydrochloride                                                                           1 mg.                                                   Idarubicin            5-10 mg.                                                Ifosfamide            1-3 gm.                                                 Leucovorin Calcium    50-350 mg.                                              Leuprolide            3.75-7.5 rng.                                           Mechlorethamine       10 mg.                                                  Medroxyprogesterone   1 gm.                                                   Melphalan             50 gm.                                                  Methotrexate          20 mg.-1 gm.                                            Mitomycin             5-40 mg.                                                Mitoxantrone          20-30 mg.                                               Ondansetron Hydrochloride                                                                           40 mg.                                                  Paclitaxel            30 mg.                                                  Pamidronate Disodium  30-*90 mg.                                              Pegaspargase          750 units                                               Plicamycin            2,500 mcgm.                                             Streptozocin          1 gm.                                                   Thiotepa              15 mg.                                                  Teniposide            50 mg.                                                  Vinblastine           10 mg.                                                  Vincristine           1-5 mg.                                                 Aldesleukin           22 million units                                        Epoetin Alfa          2,000-10,000 units                                      Filgrastim            300-480 mcgm.                                           Immune Globulin       500 mg.-1O gm.                                          Interferon Alpha-2a   3-36 million units                                      Interferon Alpha-2b   3-50 million units                                      Levamisole            50 mg.                                                  Octreotide            1,000-5,000 mcgm.                                       Sargramostim          250-500 mcgm.                                           ______________________________________                                    

The following examples are illustrative of preferred embodiments ofmethods of preparation of compounds of the invention and are not to beconstrued as limiting the invention thereto. Unless otherwise indicated,all percentages are based upon 100% of the final formulations.

EXAMPLE 1

This example demonstrates the preparation of Dibenzyl2-Methylenepentanedioate using Scheme III.

Benzyl acrylate (19.4 g, 120 mmol) was cooled in a two neck 250 ml roundbottom flask to approximately 5° C. To this was added dropwise HMPT(2.14 g, 133.1 mmol) at such a rate as to maintain a temperature of5°-10° C. Once addition was complete the ice/water bath was removed andthe mixture allowed to warm to room temperature. Stirring was continuedovernight. The clear yellow liquid was added directly to a silica gelcolumn (4 cm*40 cm) and eluted with a gradient (19:1-9:1) solvent system(hexane/EtOAc). The fractions containing the desired material werecombined and evaporated to give 1 (10.1 g, 52%) as a clear and colorlessliquid. TLC R_(f) 0.26 (9:1, Hex./EtOAc).

1H-NMR (CDCl3)

7.2-7.3 (m, 10H); 6.15 (s, 1H); 5.55 (s, 1H ); 5.12 (s, 2H); 5.08(s,2H); 2.58-2.68 (m, 2H); 2.48-2.55 (m, 2H).

EXAMPLE 2

This example demonstrates the preparation of Dibenzyl 2-Bis(benzyloxy)phosphoryl!methyl!-pentanedioate using Scheme III.

Dibenzyl phosphite (9.5 g, 36 mmol) in 350 ml of dichloromethane wascooled to 0° C. To this stirring solution was added trimethyl aluminum(18.2 ml, 2.0M solution in hexane, 36.4 mmol). After 30 minutes 1 (6.0g, 37 mmol) in 90 ml of dichloromethane was added dropwise over 10minutes. The clear and colorless solution was then warmed to roomtemperature and left to stir overnight. The mixture was then quenched bythe slow addition of 5% HCl. After stirring an additional 1.5 hours thelower organic layer was removed and the aqueous layer extracted oncewith 100 ml of dichloromethane. The organics were combined, dried(MgSO₄), and evaporated to give a clear light golden liquid. The liquidwas chromatographed on silica gel (4 cm*30 cm) and eluted with agradient (4:1-1:1) solvent system (Hexane/EtOAc). The fractionscontaining the desired product were combined and evaporated to yield 2(7.1 g, 42%) as a clear and colorless liquid. The liquid was thendistilled on a Kughleror apparatus at 0.5 mm Hg and 195°-200° C. Thedistillate was discarded and the remaining light golden oil waschromatographed on silica gel (1:1, Hex./EtOAc) to give 2.9 g of 2 as aclear and colorless oil. TLC R_(f) 0.5 (1:1, Hex./EtOAc).

1H-NMR (CDCl₃)

7.1-7.4 (m, 20H); 5.05 (s, 2H); 4.8-5.03 (m, 6H); 2.8 (1H); 2.22-2.40(m, 3H); 1.80-2.02 (m, 3H).

EXAMPLE 3

This example demonstrates the preparation of 2-(Phosphonomethyl)pentanedioic Acid using Scheme III.

The benzyl pentanedioate 2(2.9 g, 4.9 mmol) was added to a mixture of 20ml of methanol containing 0.29 g (6 mol %) of 10% Pd/C. This mixture washydrogenated on a Parr hydrogenator at 40 psi for 24 hours, filtered andevaporated to give 3(1.0 g, 90%) as a clear slightly golden viscous oil.

1H-NMR (D₂ O )

2.6-2.78(m, 1H); 2.25-2.40(m, 2H); 1.75-2.15(m, 4H).

EXAMPLE 4

This example demonstrates the preparation of the precursor compounddibenzyl itaconate using Scheme III.

A solution of itaconic acid (1.23 g, 9.45 mmol), triethylamine (18.9mmol, 1.92 g), and benzyl bromide (23.62 mmol, 4.04 g) in toluene (30mL) was heated at 80° C. for 16 h. After cooling to room temperature,the solution was diluted with ether (100 mL), washed with 1Nhydrochloric acid (20 ML) and water (20 mL), dried (MgSO₄), andconcentrated. Flash chromatography over silica gel (3×18 cm) with ahexane-EtOAc (20:1-10:1) gradient gave 2 b as a clear oil (1.84 g, 63%):TLC R_(f) 0.28 (9:1 hexanes-EtOAc); ¹ HNMR (300 MH_(Z), CDCl₃)α3.41 (s,2H), 5.09 (s, 2H), 5.17 (s, 2H), 5.73 (s, 1H), 6.39 (s, 1 H), 7.23-7.36(m, 10H); MS (methane, DCI) mlz 311 (M⁺ 1).

EXAMPLE 5

This example demonstrates the preparation of precursor compound dibenzyl2- bis(benzyloxy)phosphoryl!methyl!-succinate using Scheme III.

To a solution of dibenzyl phosphite (3.04 g. 11.6 mmol) in THF (20 mL)at 0° C. was added n-butyllithium (11.6 mmol, 4.6 mL, 2.5 M solution inhexanes) followed after 10 min by trimethylaluminum (11.6 mmol, 5.8 mL,2.0M solution in hexanes). After 20 min a solution of 1b (3.0 g, 9.7mmol) in THF 95 mL) was added. The cooling bath was removed, and theresulting solution stirred at room temperature for 16 h. The reactionwas quenched by the slow addition of 1N hydrochloric acid (20 mL). Afterstirring for 10 min the phases were separated, and the aqueous phase wasextracted with ethyl acetate (2×10 mL). The organic phases werecombined, dried (MgSO4), and concentrated. Flash chromatography oversilica gel (3×18 cm) with a hexane-EtOAc (4:1-1:1) gradient gave 2b as aclear oil (2.6 g, 55%): TLC R_(f) 0.39 (1:1 hexanes-EtOAc); ¹ H NMR (300MHz, CDCL₃) δ2.08 (ddd, J=17.6, 15.5, 8.2 Hz, 1H), 2.35 (ddd, J =19.2,15.5, 5.5 Hz, 1 H), 2.83 (d, J =6.6. Hz, 2H), 3.10-3.27 (m, 1HO,4.82-5.06 (m, 8H), 7.22-7.37 (m, 20H) ; MS (methane, DCI) mlz 573 (M⁺1). Anal. Calcd for C₂₃₃ H₃₃ O₇ P: C,69.22; H, 5.81. Found: C,69.28; H,5.86.

EXAMPLE 6

This example demonstrates the preparation of precursor compound2-(phosphonomethyl)succinic Acid using Scheme III.

The procedure used for the preparation of 3 was followed using 2b (1.4g, 2.44 mmol) in methanol (10 mL) with 10% palladium on carbon (0.25 g,5 mol %) to afford 4 (0.55 g). Purification of 4 was carried out byHPLC: semipreparative C8 column, linear gradient of water and methanol(0% -20%) over 20 min, 10 mL fractions. HPLC analysis, Zorbax C8 column,isocratic water-methanol (4:1), showed the product (t_(R) =1.6 min) wascontained in fractions 7-10. These fractions were combined andlyophilized to afford 3 (0.44 g, 38%): ¹ H NMR (300 MHz, D₂ O ) δ1.91(ddd.J=17.4, 15.5, 7.7 Hz, 1 H), 2.13 (dd, J =18.0, 15.5, 6.1 Hz 1H),2.71-2.92 (m, 2H) 3.01-3.15 (m, 1 H); MS (methane, DCI-) mlz 211 (M⁻¹).Anal. Calcd for C₅ H₉ O₇ P.2H₂ O: C, 24.2; H.5.28. Found: C, 24.2; H,5.34.

EXAMPLE 7

This example demonstrates the preparation of precursor compound benzyl3-(hydroxyphosphinyl)propionate using Scheme III.

Hypophosphorous acid (1.82 g, 13.8 mmol, 50% aqueous solution) andtriethylamine (0.97 g, 13.8 mmol) were mixed and dried by azeotropicremoval of toluene (3×20 mL) in vacuo at 50° C. The residue wasdissolved in dry CH₂ Cl₂ (50 mL) and cooled to 0° C. Triethylamine (2.4g, 24.2 mmol) and chloro-trimethylsilane (2.56 g, 23.6 mmol) were addedfollowed after 5 min by benzyl acrylate (0.32 g, 1.98 mmol) in CH₂ Cl₂(5 mL). The mixture was stirred for 24 h at room temperature and thenfiltered. The filtrate was washed with 1N hydrochloric acid (10 mL) andwater (10 mL), dried (MgSO₄), and concentrated to afford 5 inquantitative yield: ¹ H NMR (300 MHz, CDCL₃) δ2.05 (dquintet, J=1.8, 7.7Hz, 2 H), 2.66 (quintet, J =7.7 Hz, 2H), 5.12 (s, 2H), 7.25-7.38 (m,5H), 10.89 (brs, 1H).

EXAMPLE 8

This example demonstrates the preparation of precursor compound dibenzyl2 2-(benzylcarboxy)ethyl!hydroxyphosphinoyl!methyl!pentanedioate usingScheme II.

Compound 5 (0.82 g, 3.63 mmol) was dried by azeotropic removal oftoluene (3×20 mL) in vacuo at 50° C. The residue was dissolved in dryCH₂ Cl₂ (5 mL). The mixture stirred for 24 h at room temperature andthen was washed with 1 N hydrochloric acid (10 mL) and water (10 mL),dried (MgSO₄), and concentrated. Flash chromatography over silica gel(3×18 cm) with a hexane-EtOAc (4:1-1:1) gradient gave 6 as a clear oil(0.74 g 37%): TLC R_(f) 0.1 (1:1 hexanes-EtOAc) ; ¹ H NMR (300 MHz,CDC₃) δ1.70-1.84 (m, 1H), 1.84-2.05 (m, 4H), 2.12-2.35 (m, 3H),2.51-2.66 (m, 2H), 2.76-2.94 (m, 1H), 5.00-5.17 (m, 6H), 7.20-7.40 (m,15H); MS (methane, DCI) mlz 553 (M⁻× 1).

EXAMPLE 9

This example demonstrates the preparation of precursor compound 2-2-carboxyethyl)hydroxyphosphinol!methyl!-pentanedoic Acid using SchemeII.

The procedure used for the preparation of 3 was followed using 6 (0.58g, 1.06 mmol) in methanol (10 mL) with 10 palladium on carbon (0.11 g,10 mol %) to afford 0.31 g of compound 7. Purification of 7 was carriedout by HPLC: semipreparative C8 column, linear gradient of water andmethanol (0% -20%) over 20 min, 10 mL/min, 20×10 mL fractions. HPLCanalysis, Zorbax C8 column, isocratic water-methanol (4:1), showed theproduct (t_(R) =1.9 min) was contained in fractions 12-15. Thesefractions were combined and lyophilized to afford 7 (0.17 g, 56%): ¹ HNMR (300 MHz, MeOD)δ1.82-2.08 (m, 5H), 2.14-2.27 (m, 1H), 2.31-2.43 (m,2H), 2.51-2.63 (m, 2H), 2.74-2.91 (m, 1H); MS (FAB) mlz 283 (M⁻).

EXAMPLE 10

This example demonstrates the preparation of precursor compound 2-(2-carboxyethyl)hydroxy phosphinoyl!methyl!pentanedioic Acid usingScheme II.

The procedure used for the preparation of 3 was followed using 6 (0.58g, 1.06 mmol) in methanol (10 mL) with 10l palladium on carbon (0.11 g,10 mol %) to afford 0.31 g of compound 7. Purification of 7 was carriedout by HPLC:semipreparative C8 column, linear gradient of water andmethanol (0% -20%) over 20 min, 10 mL/min, 20×10 mL fractions. HPLCanalysis, Zorbax C8 column, isocratic water-methanol (4:1), showed theproduct (t_(R) =1.9 min) was contained in fractions 12-15. Thesefractions were combined and lyophilized to afford 7 (0.17 g, 56%): ¹ HNMR (300 MHz, MeOD) δ1.82-2.08 (m, 5 H), 2.14-2.27 (m, 1H), 2.31-2.43(m, 2H), 2.51-2.63 (m, 2H), 2.74-2.91 (m, 1H); MS (FAB) mlz 283 (M⁻)

EXAMPLE 11

A patient is diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the prostate. The patientmay then be administered a NAALADase inhibitor, such as set forth inexamples 1 through 3, by direct injection into the tumor. After thisinitial treatment, the patient may be optionally administered the sameor different NAALADase inhibitor by intermittent or continuousadministration by subdural pump. It would be expected that no furtheroccurrences of the adenocarcinoma would develop.

EXAMPLE 12

A patient is diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the prostate. The patientmay then be administered a NAALADase inhibitor, such as set forth inexamples 1 through 3, by direct injection into the tumor. After thisinitial treatment, the patient may be optionally administered the sameor different NAALADase inhibitor by intermittent or continuousadministration by implantation of a biocompatible, polymeric matrixdelivery system. It would be expected that no further occurrences of theadenocarcinoma would develop.

EXAMPLE 13

A patient is diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The patientmay then be administered a NAALADase inhibitor, such as set forth inexamples 1 through 3, by direct injection into the tumor. After thisinitial treatment, the patient may be optionally administered the sameor different NAALADase inhibitor by intermittent or continuousadministration by injection, subdural pump, or polymeric matrix implant.It would be expected that the benign prostatic hyperplastic cells do notdevelop into carcinoma.

EXAMPLE 14

A patient is diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Theadenocarcinoma appears not to have metastasized. The adenocarcinomawould be removed by surgery. After post-operative recovery, the patientwould be locally administered NAALADase inhibitor by intermittent orcontinuous administration by injection, subdural pump or by polymericmatrix implant. It would expected that no further occurrences of thecarcinoma would develop.

EXAMPLE 15

A patient is diagnosed with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate.The adenocarcinoma appears to have metastasized, but surgery still isindicated as an effective treatment modality. Tumor tissue would beremoved by surgery. The patient would be locally administered aNAALADase inhibitor such as described herein from the time,approximately, of the initial diagnosis and would continue aftersurgery. After post-operative recovery, the patient would be maintainedat this level of NAALADase inhibitor by a regimen of periodic localadministration. The patient would be monitored carefully for intolerableadverse side-effects of NAALADase inhibitor administration. It would beexpected that no further tumors develop. If some of the original, smalltumorous masses are detected after surgery, they would be expected tonot grow in size.

EXAMPLE 16

A patient is diagnosed with a disorder requiring the administration of aNAALADase inhibitor. The patient may then be administered a NAALADaseinhibitor, such as set forth in examples 1 through 3, by directinjection. After this initial treatment, the patient may be optionallyadministered the same or different NAALADase inhibitor by directinjection, subdural pump, or implantation of a biocompatible, polymericmatrix delivery system. It would be expected that the treatment wouldalleviate the disorder, either in part or in its entirety and that nofurther occurrences of the disorder would develop.

EXAMPLE 17

A patient is diagnosed with ACTH-producing tumors. The patient may thenbe administered a NAALADase inhibitor, such as set forth in examples 1through 3, by direct injection into the tumor. After this initialtreatment, the patient may be optionally administered the same ordifferent NAALADase inhibitor by direct injection, subdural pump, orimplantation of a biocompatible, polymeric matrix delivery system. Itwould be expected that tumor growth or tumor cell growth would beprevented or inhibited and that no further occurrences of theACTH-producing tumor would develop.

EXAMPLE 18

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia.

EXAMPLE 19

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with acute non-lymphocytic leukemia.

EXAMPLE 20

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic cancer of the adrenalcortex.

EXAMPLE 21

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic bladder cancer.

EXAMPLE 22

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic brain cancer.

EXAMPLE 23

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic breast cancer.

EXAMPLE 24

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic cervical cancer.

EXAMPLE 25

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic chronic lymphocyticleukemia.

EXAMPLE 26

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic chronic myelocytic leukemia.

EXAMPLE 27

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic colorectal cancer.

EXAMPLE 28

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

EXAMPLE 29

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic endometrial cancer.

EXAMPLE 30

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic esophageal cancer.

EXAMPLE 31

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic Ewing's sarcoma.

EXAMPLE 32

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic gallbladder cancer.

EXAMPLE 33

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic hairy cell leukemia.

EXAMPLE 34

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic head and neck cancer.

EXAMPLE 35

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic Hodgin's lymphoma.

EXAMPLE 36

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic Kaposi's sarcoma.

EXAMPLE 37

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic kidney cancer.

EXAMPLE 38

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic liver cancer.

EXAMPLE 39

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic lung cancer (small celland/or non-small cell).

EXAMPLE 40

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic malignant peritonealeffusion.

EXAMPLE 41

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic malignant pleural effusion.

EXAMPLE 42

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic melanoma.

EXAMPLE 43

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic mesothelioma.

EXAMPLE 44

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic multiple myeloma.

EXAMPLE 45

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic neuroblastoma.

EXAMPLE 46

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

EXAMPLE 47

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic osteosarcoma.

EXAMPLE 48

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic ovarian cancer (and/or germcell ovarian cancer).

EXAMPLE 49

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic pancreatic cancer.

EXAMPLE 50

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic penis cancer.

EXAMPLE 51

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic retinoblastoma.

EXAMPLE 52

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic skin cancer.

EXAMPLE 53

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic soft-tissue sarcoma.

EXAMPLE 54

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic squamous cell carcinoma.

EXAMPLE 55

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic stomach cancer.

EXAMPLE 56

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic testicular cancer.

EXAMPLE 57

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic thyroid cancer.

EXAMPLE 58

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic trophoblastic neoplasm.

EXAMPLE 59

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic uterine cancer.

EXAMPLE 60

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic vaginal cancer.

EXAMPLE 61

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic cancer of the vulva.

EXAMPLE 62

A treatment such as that described in Example 9 wherein the patient isdiagnosed with metastatic or non-metastatic Wilm's tumor.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same maybe varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as adeparture from the spirit and scope of the invention and all suchmodification are intended to be included within the scope of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of treating prostate tumor cell growthwhich comprises: administering to an animal suffering from a cancer aneffective amount of a NAALADase inhibitor.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein the NAALADase inhibitor is selected from the group consistingof:2-(phosphonomethyl)pentanedioic acid; 2-(phosphonomethyl)succinicacid; and 2- (2-carboxyethyl)hydroxyphosphinoyl!methyl!pentanedioicacid.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the NAALADase inhibitor isadministered in combination with an additional therapeutic agentselected from the group consisting of: therapeutic hormones,chemotherapeutic agents, monoclonal antibodies, anti-angiogenesisagents, radiolabelled compounds, and mixtures thereof.
 4. A method forinhibiting the growth of prostatic tumor cells in an animal whichcomprises: administering to said prostatic tumor cells an effectiveamount of a NAALADase inhibitor.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein theNAALADase inhibitor is selected from the group consistingof:2-(phosphonomethyl)pentanedioic acid; 2-(phosphonomethyl)succinicacid; and 2- (2-carboxyethyl)hydroxyphosphinoyl!methyl!pentanedioicacid.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the NAALADase inhibitor isadministered in combination with an additional therapeutic agentselected from the group consisting of: therapeutic hormones,chemotherapeutic agents, monoclonal antibodies, anti-angiogenesisagents, radiolabelled compounds, and mixtures thereof.
 7. A method oftreating prostate diseases selected from the group consisting ofprostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia in an animal, whichcomprises: administering to said animal an effective amount of aNAALADase inhibitor.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the NAALADaseinhibitor is selected from the group consistingof:2-(phosphonomethyl)pentanedioic acid; 2-(phosphonomethyl)succinicacid; and 2- (2-carboxyethyl)hydroxyphosphinoyl!methyl!pentanedioicacid.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the NAALADase inhibitor isadministered in combination with an additional therapeutic agentselected from the group consisting of: therapeutic hormones,chemotherapeutic agents, monoclonal antibodies, anti-angiogenesisagents, radiolabelled compounds, and mixtures thereof.